If you’re after CrossCountry First Class tickets, look no further. At Trainline, we’ll show you what exactly is on offer, from luxurious seats to complimentary meals and much more. Don’t be put off by the thought of paying more than you would in Standard either, as there are ways to find cheap First Class train tickets too! Read on for a complete guide to CrossCountry First Class.
As well as all the usual amenities you'll find in Standard Class on CrossCountry trains (luggage racks, toilets, bike storage, etc.), travelling in First Class means you get access to a few extra perks before and during your trip.
Running their services between the South West, the South Coast, the North East, Wales and Scotland, CrossCountry trains offer plenty of amenities on their First Class carriages, including:
CrossCountry offer a complimentary food and drink service on their trains throughout the day in First Class, meaning you can arrive at your destination full of energy and ready to go.
Here’s an idea of what you can expect during your journey if you're travelling Monday to Friday:
In addition to drinks and snacks, customers on longer journeys can choose from a range of complimentary sandwiches and hot meals (weekdays only).
You'll normally find First Class seating in coach A on all trains operated by CrossCountry and in coaches A and B on their high-speed fleet. First Class coaches are easy to find on CrossCountry trains as they're normally signposted by the door. The seats are more spaced out than in Standard Class, although they follow the same arrangement on either sitting at a table of four or two seats next to each other. The extra option in First Class are single seats with their own table, perfect for solo travellers who want their own space.
Check out our guides to travelling First Class on some of CrossCountry's most popular routes.
Departs from |
Newcastle |
Arrives into |
Edinburgh Waverley |
First Class lounge |
Newcastle only – partial access to LNER First Class lounge |
Find out more about taking the train from Newcastle to Edinburgh.
Departs from |
Glasgow Central |
Arrives into |
Newcastle |
First Class lounge | Not available |
Find out more about taking the train from Glasgow to Newcastle.
There are different ways you can get cheap CrossCountry First Class train tickets without having to pay over the odds. Our top tips for saving money on First Class train tickets are:
Tickets for travel during Off-Peak hours (anytime outside of Monday to Friday rush hours) are normally cheaper, plus the trains are usually quieter too.
Book in advance
CrossCountry usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks before the departure date, usually at their cheapest price. So, book your tickets as early as possible if you want to save a pretty penny or two.
Use a Railcard
There are several Railcards in the UK you can use to save up to 1/3 on First Class train tickets. Check out which one you might be eligible for and buy online on our Railcards page.
Search for split tickets
‘Splitting’ your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
As well as more spacious and comfortable seating, First Class on CrossCountry trains includes free WiFi and complimentary food and drinks during your journey.
Yes. All passengers travelling First Class during the week (Monday to Friday) with CrossCountry will get complimentary food and drinks served to their seats.
No, unfortunately CrossCountry trains don't offer First Class lounges. However, if for example you're travelling from Newcastle to Edinburgh and part of your journey is on an LNER train, or your ticket isn't valid only for travel on CrossCountry, you'll be able to access LNER's First Class lounge at Newcastle station.
Want to know more about CrossCountry? Check out some of our guides to travelling with CrossCountry and by train in Great Britain for info on train times, Season tickets and more.